UC Riverside athletic director Brian Wickstrom said the C-Center project is moving ahead as planned but the site has changed. A request for qualifications (RFQ) is going out this week for developers to submit their teams and ideas for the project, which will now focus on land at Martin Luther King Blvd. and Iowa Ave. The original plan had the C-Center being constructed at Bannockburn Village across from the track and field stadium and softball park.

Wickstrom said input from consultants and developers determined the logistics of having the arena on MKL and Iowa worked better than having it on campus. Thereâs also been no decision on whether the parking structure, originally planned for lot 24 next to the track, would be included.

Up to three development groups will be selected by the end of May. A more detailed Request for Proposal (RFP) will take place this summer and once a firm is selected, then an exclusive negotiating agreement will be drawn up.

Wickstrom said 15 or 16 companies have shown interest in the project. Other details from the Site Feasibility report have not changed, including square footage or the $70-$90 million estimated cost.

Once the developer and final details are worked out, Wickstrom said the plan is to present the project to the UC Board of Regents for approval in the fall, although that target date is in an âideal world,â Wickstrom said.

UCR awaiting NCAA ruling

UC Riverside is still waiting to hear from the NCAA regarding the eligibility of senior infielder Eddie Young.

Young has sat out the past two weeks after the school discovered a paperwork error dating back to his freshman year. In 2009, Young was injured during an early-season game at Bakersfield, but apparently the proper paperwork for a medical redshirt was not filed. Young was playing this season as a fifth-year senior when the error was recently discovered.

The NCAA could rule Young ineligible for a fifth season since he was not officially redshirted. If heâs ruled ineligible, itâs likely the 15 games he played in would be vacated. He has not played in Big West games.

âWe need to get it resolved,â coach Doug Smith said. âI think (ending his eligibility) would be a gross injustice He didnât do anything. He was told everything was good and apparently the bottom line is some paperwork wasnât filed.â

Athletic director Brian Wickstrom said the administrative error came from the compliance office.

âSomehow it got overlooked,â he said.

Executive Associate Athletic Director Janet Lucas has been reviewing all policies and procedures to make sure compliance issues are up to date, Wickstrom said.

Itâs not the first time UCR has had problems with NCAA eligibility due to an administrative error.

In 2005, the school had to forfeit five menâs soccer games and was fined $5,000 after it discovered Erasmo Solorzano was two units short of NCAA requirements. That error was uncovered during an academic progress review.

Martin playing in Czech Republic

After a stint in the NBA D-League, former UCR standout Phil Martin has been playing professionally in the Czech Republic. Heâs with BK Breda and Weinstein Opava. According to the teamâs Web site, Martin has played in 10 games and is averaging 12.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 19 minutes.

Join the conversation

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to allow Freedom Communications, Inc. the right to republish your name and comment in additional Freedom publications without any notification or payment.